HighPoint RocketStor 5322 Review

HighPoint RocketStor 5322 Introduction:

File sizes continue to grow with the proliferation of devices that boost the pixel counts, ergo ultimately the file size. Sixteen (and higher) megapixel DSLRs and digital video cameras that shoot in 1080p are the norm rather than the exception. Our music and movie collections continue to expand with a myriad of ways to download the content. Add in increased backup file sizes with the latest operating systems and you get tons of data that needs to be stored somewhere on a drive or series of drives. Many of us choose to use an external drive to store our treasured memories and system backups, but tend to gripe about the length of time it takes to complete the process. HighPoint has an answer to that conundrum with the introduction of its RocketStor 5322; the first dual eSATA 6Gb/s storage dock on the market. Sure, you can get dual USB 3.0 performance in the RocketStor 5122B that supports dual USB 3.0 5Gb/s engines, while the 5322 supports dual eSATA 6Gb/s engines for a total of 12Gb/s worth of bandwidth.

As an external dock that supports a pair of SATA 6Gb/s 2.5 or 3.5 inch form factor drives, it is vendor agnostic and can be used with a PC as well as a Mac. With two ports or docks, the RocketStor 5322 can support single or dual drive configurations including RAID configurations when used with a dual eSATA-equipped add-in PCIe card such as the RocketRAID 642L that Highpoint sent along with the 5322. Priced at $119, the 5322 comes in the door with a price premium but if the performance can back up the pricing than it is a win all around.

HighPoint RocketStor 5322 Closer Look:

The packaging for the HighPoint RocketStor 5322 and RocketRAID 642L features a wealth of information across all facets of the boxes. The front and lid of the RocketStor 5322 show an image of the docking station stating that this is the world's first dual 6Gb/s eSATA storage dock supporting SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 6Gb/s standards for both PC and Mac. The right panel shows how the drives can be configured in the 5322 with several combinations of 2.5 and 3.5 inch form factor drives. The contents of the package are listed with the power cord included marked to the right. As a global company, it has power cord considerations for many countries. The back side points out the benefits of using a dual dedicated 6Gb/s eSATA storage solution for either single drive or multiple drive RAID setups. The left side lists the product specifications and warranty/support information with a link to HighPoint's web site.

HighPoint packs the 5322 well enough to prevent damage during transit. I found no damage internally to the 5322 or the accessory bundle. What you get for your $120 is the RocketStor 5322 dual eSATA dock, the instruction manual, a power supply and cord, and a pair of one meter long eSATA cables to attach the docking station to the RocketRAID 642L.

The packaging on the RocketRAID 642L is configured similarly with an image on the front with the basic specifications listed with a more detailed listing on the rear panel. I'll dig more into the feature later on.

HighPoint's RocketRAID 642L is part of the 600 HBA series of PCIe storage solutions. The RocketRAID 642L is a PCIe device that supports up to four point to point SATA 6Gb/s drives with two internal SATA 6Gb/s headers and two external 6Gb/s eSATA headers for use with external docking stations such as the RocketStor 5322 I am looking at today. Built around the Marvell 88SE9235 controller, this device can support up to 20 devices when a port multiplier is used. RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and JBOD configurations are supported. A low profile bracket is included for use in small form factor chassis. Combining the 642L with the RocketStor 5322 is a natural way to get the highest performance out of the docking station if your system does not have native, dual eSATA 6Gb/s connectivity.

HighPoint's RocketStore dual eSATA looks to be able to provide all the bandwidth you would need to transfer your data to an external dock at speeds that mirror an internal drive setup run on through an onboard Marvel controlled set of drives.